Ice Fishing

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Ice Fishing Areas

• Central Hills - Rapid City

  The Mystic Ranger District is located in the central portion of the Black Hills National Forest and has an office south of Rapid City, SD.

• Deerfield Reservoir Complex

  Deerfield Reservoir is located 20 miles west of Hill City, SD. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Castle Creek flows into and out of the reservoir and provides additional fishing opportunities. Ice fishing, snowmobiling and ice skating are popular winter sports here. The complex has three campgrounds, two picnic areas and the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail (Trail #40L).

  There are two boat launch areas; one at Dutchmen Campground (south side) and one at Custer Trails. Please note: The Custer Trails boat dock is not placed as the dock sustained extensive damage from wind and other elements. Gravel has been laid at this location and boats can still be launched there, however, sandals and/or footwear that can get wet is recommended.

  Travel on the reservoir is limited to five miles per hour and there is a no-wake restriction which provides for peaceful fishing and boating experiences.

  Reservoir water levels and boat ramp data can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website for Pactola and Deerfield Reservoirs:  http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/

  Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing available include: Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Spin, Ice; Boat Launch available

• Pactola Reservoir Complex

  Pactola Reservoir is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. It is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150 foot depths on 800 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Record lake trout are caught each year. Large brown trout are caught in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir. Facilities include a full service marina with seasonal, monthly and daily slips, gasoline, oil, groceries, food service, shower and laundry. Forest facilities include an 88 unit campground, a group campground, swim beach, picnic areas, two boat launches, a paved accessible trail, day use trails and portions of both the Centennial and Deerfield trails. Fly fishing below the spillway is exceptional. A National Forest visitor center on the south side of the dam is open seasonally and provides visitors with information about the building of the dam and forest management.

  Reservoir water levels and boat ramp data can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website for Pactola and Deerfield Reservoirs:  http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/

  

• Sheridan Lake Complex

  Sheridan Lake is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. This warm 375 acre lake provides anglers with opportunities to fish for trout, northern pike, perch, bass and other pan fish. Fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and Ice Fishing is popular on the lake in winter. The largest campground (129 camp sites) on the Black Hills National Forest is located on the south shore,  along with a boat launch, swim beach, picnic area and trailheads for the Flume Trail and access to the Centennial Trail. The north shore has a group campground, marina with slip rental, groceries and angler supplies, the largest swim beach on the forest, a picnic area and large boat launch. Fishing piers are located in various areas around the lake.

• Northern Hills-Spearfish

  The Northern Hills Ranger District covers the northern portion of the Black Hills on the South Dakota side. Spearfish has nearby access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails, a 100 mile long hiking trail (Centennial Trail) and many other trails, a 110 mile long biking, hiking and horseback trail (Mickelson Trail), and 2 downhill ski areas (ski areas are near Deadwood, SD - 15 miles away).

• Dalton Lake
• Roubaix Lake
• Northwestern Hills - Sundance

  Bearlodge Ranger District (Northwestern Hills) encompasses the northern portion of the Black Hills on the Wyoming side.In the immediate vicinity is trout fishing, access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, hunting, hiking and camping. Forest Service campgrounds near Sundance are Cook Lake, Reuter, and Sundance Trailhead.

• Cook Lake Recreation Area
• Southern Hills - Custer

  The Hell Canyon Ranger District is located in the southern third of the Black Hills National Forest, with offices in both Newcastle, WY and Custer, SD.

• Bismarck Lake

  Bismarck Lake is set amidst a scattering of aspen groves and Ponderosa pine. This is a great place for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest. The lake is an ideal spot for fishing and supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, a variety of sunfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and catfish. Non-motorized boating is allowed. Acess to this lake is through Custer State Park near the West Highway 16A entrance. 

  • Bismarck Lake Campground Reservations

    

    Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation.

    Reserve Your Campsite
• Horsethief Lake

  Horsethief Lake is located near Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Fishing, especially ice fishing, is popular at this lake. Dredging operations were completed a few years ago to clean out excessive sediment to restore the depth and improve water quality. Enjoy this beautiful lake while fishing for trout from the shore, non-motorized boat or from the ADA accessible fishing pier. 

  • Horsethief Lake Campground Reservations

    

    Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation.

    Reserve Your Campsite

   

• Lakota Lake